Connect with Congress — Advocate at Home Throughout the 2019 Year

Hands down, the most effective advocacy is face-to-face engagement between a constituent and a member of Congress while on recess throughout the year. “Advocacy” is a broad term, and you are likely already doing it! Simply put, it is in every orchestra’s best interest to show your elected officials – at all levels – the kinds of programs you offer and the variety of partners with whom you work. In turn, you should keep up with what elected officials are doing via social media and their e-newsletters. When you are doing something noteworthy, take a moment to share the news in a variety of ways – phone call, social media, mailing a brochures or glowing news coverage, etc. Not sure how to contact your Representative and Senators? Just enter your zip code here, and select the hyperlinked name of an official to find a complete profile page with full contact information including social media, as well as committee assignments. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
if you have any questions about which committees are related to key issues for the arts.

Below are the dates members of Congress are expected to be home, along with key advocacy opportunities and some suggested actions you can take. Many people will be competing for your officials’ time – especially since 2018 was an election year resulting in a lot of new Members – so remember to plan early! Well before your legislator goes home for a recess, contact their district office to schedule a meeting or extend an invitation to a performance or event. Please keep the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
posted so we can bolster your efforts!

Visit our Advocacy resources for ideas on how to involve policymakers in an orchestra event, get a refresher on lobbying rules (yes, you ARE allowed!), and to review Congressional gift rules.

2019 Calendar of Opportunities: 116th Congress, 1st Session*

Dates in red represent longer periods of time when elected officials may be available to meet with you at home. Also note that elected officials from states near D.C., may be available at home on weekends - be sure to check with the district office.

January

House at home:

1/18-1/27

Senate at home:

1/4-1/71/19-1/27

Suggested action:Send a happy new year note to your elected officials, welcoming New members to office and welcoming back those resuming their duties. Consider recapping your orchestra’s just-completed year of activity and sharing a glimpse of plans for the current year, noting any special community events your elected officials might find of interest.

February

House at home:

1/31-2/42/15-2/24

Senate at home:

2/16-2/24

Suggested action:Planning a special President’s Day concert? Do any past U.S. presidents hail from your state? If your orchestra is helping schools or the community celebrate, invite your elected officials to come, and consider giving them a brief speaking role.

March

House at home:

3/1-3/43/15-3/243/29-3/31

Senate at home:

3/16-3/24

Suggested action:March 4 is National Arts Advocacy Day and March is Music in Our Schools Month! Join in the national advocacy taking place throughout the country, and coordinate your social media with others to build a groundswell of support. Prepare stories of community impact that you can share on social media to demonstrate how vital the arts are, and the role you play in bringing music to schools. If your officials sit on key Congressional committees, prepare a post or story that speaks specifically to the policies they can influence, like NEA funding, arts education funding, visa policies, and more. Plan ahead to make sure to grab some face time during your officials’ April recess too.

April

House at home:

4/5-4/84/13-4/28

Senate at home:

4/13-4/28

Suggested action:Congress is on recess for two weeks toward the end of April – the first major break of the year. This is an ideal time to meet with your members as they will be at home, but remember to contact them in advance to get on their schedules. Invite officials to visit your office and check out any education or community programming behind the scenes, or go to their district office to sit down and chat. Let them know what you’re up to, and ask what they could use from you to help do their jobs in Washington.

May

House at home:

5/3-5/65/24-6/3

Senate at home:

5/25-6/2

Suggested action:Memorial Day events at home are an ideal time to show officials how orchestras are part of local celebrations and observances. Again, remember to plan ahead, and consider inviting officials to speak at special concerts you may be holding.

June

House at home:

5/24-6/36/14-6/176/28-7/8

Senate at home:

5/25-6/26/29-7/7

Suggested action:The League of American Orchestras’ National Conference takes place June 3-5 in Nashville. Join us, and let people know you’re attending, what you’re learning, and how your orchestra is part of a large field dedicated to enriching communities through the power of music!

July

House at home:

6/28-7/87/19-7/22**7/27-9/8**

Senate at home:

6/29-7/7

Suggested action:Nearly every orchestra presents a 4th of July concert. Your elected officials will be looking for opportunities to be part of civic celebrations – make sure they know well in advance, so they can join yours. Again, patriotic concerts are an ideal opportunity to provide a brief speaking opportunity to welcome the audience and kick off your local celebration of our nation’s independence. Remember to plan well ahead if you hope to meet face to face during your officials’ August recess.

August

**House home entire month of August**

**Senate home most of August** (beginning 8/3)

Suggested action:This – the traditional August recess -- is the longest stretch of time during which Congress goes home. Plan ahead so you can be part of your officials’ summer plans. If you don’t have any programming to show them, collect your best stories from the year to date, and ask to meet your officials in their office so you can have a catch-up chat to learn how each other’s year is going and where your interests and activities may line up

September

House at home:

7/27-9/89/13-9/169/28-10/14

Senate at home:

8/3-9/89/28-10/14

Suggested action:National Arts in Education Week takes place 9/8-9/14. Queue up testimonials, photos, and video demonstrating how your orchestra supports in-school music education – share these with your patrons, friends, and most definitely your elected officials. If you are doing anything at a school on 9/15, this could be a great time to invite your U.S. Representative to come and see your orchestra in action.

October

House at home:

9/28-10/14

Senate at home:

9/28-10/14

Suggested action:October is National Arts and Humanities Month. If you partner with any humanities/literacy organizations, this is a great time of year to showcase your joint efforts and offer support to those partners. The best advocates are third party – do your fellow nonprofits a favor and use your platform to celebrate them, thanking them for the work they do and for being great partners!

November

House at home:

11/1-11/1111/22-12/2

Senate at home:

11/23-12/1

Suggested action:Are you helping to honor local veterans for Veteran’s Day on the 10th? Do you have anyone in your orchestra family – on stage, behind stage, or in the administration – who has served in the military? This is an excellent time to thank them for their service, past or present. If you are involved in any arts and military efforts, let your community know, and invite your elected officials to learn about them firsthand. With elections taking place throughout the country on November 6th, officials are likely to be home but very busy. Plan well ahead if you hope to meet with them!

December

House likely to be home:

11/22-12/212/13 onward

Senate likely to be home:

11/23-12/112/14 onward

Suggested action:Don’t forget to include your elected officials in any holiday cards you may be sending. Thank them for their year of government service, and thank any who have supported the arts or let them know how you hope for increased support in the future. If you’re planning a festive concert or participating in a community-wide celebration, make sure your officials are invited, and if appropriate, find a speaking role for them.

Congratulations on a full year of advocacy!

* All House and Senate recess dates are subject to change. (Created December 11, 2018)